I'm an immigration lawyer and I enjoy helping to keep families together through my work on their green card applications and visas. I also enjoy helping permanent residents become naturalized citizens.
I graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Product Design, and went to Santa Clara University School of Law. At Santa Clara University School of Law I focused my studies on Intellectual Property, Telecommunications Law and Contracts. After law school, my interests broadened and now I take on immigration law cases.
When I'm not working, I like hiking and spending time with my family.
Practice areas
11 years
10 years
Languages spoken
Spanish, English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
WA | Active | 2010 | 06/28/2022 |
Legal answers | 15 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
CALI Excellence for the Future Award | The Center for Computer Assisted Legal Education | 2009 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Of Counsel | Sound Immigration | 2015 - Present |
Attorney | Riggs Immigration Law PLLC | 2011 - Present |
Assistant | Law Office of William Parks | 2009 - 2010 |
Law Clerk | Magellan | 2008 - 2008 |
Legal Intern | Yahoo! | 2007 - 2007 |
Legal Intern | Hewlett Packard | 2007 - 2007 |
Research Assistant | Santa Clara University School Of Law | 2007 - 2009 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
American Immigration Lawyers Association | Member | 2012 - Present |
Washington State Bar Association | Member | 2010 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
De Novo Magazine | Writs Unwrapped: Using Writs of Attachment in Your Practice | 2012 |
De Novo Magazine | Don't Take It Personally: High Conflict Personalities Don't Realize They're Jerks | 2012 |
De Novo | Branding Yourself and Your Law Practice | 2012 |
De Novo Magazine | The Alliance for Equal Justice | 2012 |
De Novo | During Economic Downturn, More Young Lawyers Turning to Pro Bono Projects to Keep Busy, Gain Experience | 2011 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Santa Clara University School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 2009 |
Stanford University | B.S. | 2005 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Citizenship Class | Citizenship | 2020 |
Bridging the Border: A Community Forum with AG Bob Ferguson | Immigration | 2020 |
Immigrants and Refugees: History, Myths, and Personal Stories | Immigration Myths | 2017 |
Chapter monthly Meeting | Immigration | 2017 |
Posted by Mackenzie
December 3, 2015
Posted by anonymous
November 5, 2015
Posted by anonymous
August 2, 2014
Posted by anonymous
September 10, 2013
Minda Thorward, Immigration Attorney on Jul 3, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Mercedes is a diligent and competent immigration lawyer. She has a knack for untangling difficult and complicated cases, and coming up with creative, workable solutions. I've worked with Mercedes many times, and I'd highly recommend her legal services.
Greg McLawsen, Immigration Attorney on Mar 16, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I met Mercedes years ago through the American Immigration Lawyers Association, in which we are both active members. There are only a few attorneys who exude passion for their work and strong sense of responsibility for the clients they serve. I immediately felt Mercedes was one of these attorneys, and still hold that view. She also comes to law from the background of being an engineer with a focus on design. This means that she appreciates solving problems from the perspective of the clients she serves. Mercedes is a fine professional whom I'm proud to call a colleague. (As they say in the travel guidebooks - Recommended!)